Nevada vs. Kansas: Game Preview, Streaming Options, Odds, Prediction
Nevada looks to extend its winning streak as the Wolf Pack travels to face top-10 opponent, #6 Kansas.
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Wolf Pack add an unexpected game
WHO: Nevada Wolf Pack (6-4, 0-0 in the MW) vs. #6 Kansas (9-1, 0-0 in the Big 12)
WHEN: Wednesday, December 29, 7:00 PM CT/5:00 PM PT
WHERE: Allen Fieldhouse: Lawrence, Kan.
TV/Stream: ESPN+
Line: KenPom, Jayhawks 16-point favorites
Nevada travels to one of the most historic venues of all of college basketball to take on the #6 ranked Kansas Jayhawks in Allen Fieldhouse. This will be the Wolf Pack’s first game against a top-10 opponent since Nevada took on fellow Mountain West foe San Diego State in February of 2020. The contest Wednesday night replaces what would have been the Wolf Pack’s conference opener against San Jose State, which was postponed due to Spartan COVID issues. This will be the third time Nevada travels to Allen Fieldhouse. The last contest was back in 2005 when the Wolf Pack beat Kansas 72-70.
Kansas is one of the hottest teams in the country, winning all but one game this season. The Jayhawks slipped against Dayton when the two played a neutral site game in Florida. Kansas has taken down a top 25 opponent in Michigan State in the Jayhawk’s first game of the season but has played mediocre opponents since. Kansas ranks a Kenpom third in the country in adjusted offensive efficiency and scores at will. The Jayhawks have yet to score below 70 points this season (averaging 85.8 ppg) and shoot nearly 60% from the field. Kansas also ranks third in field goal percentage as well as ranking six in scoring.
There is no lack of talent on Kansas’s roster. The Jayhawks are led by Ochai Agbaji who averages 22 points, four rebounds and boosts an offensive rating of 134.3 which ranks 28th in the country. Christian Braun, David McCormack, and Remy Martin all also bring major contributions to this Kansas lineup. Braun averages 16 points and nearly seven rebounds a game while providing length on defense. Pair that length with forwards McCormack and Agbaji, and Kansas rolls out a top-50 defense each and every night.
Nevada is on a winning streak of their own, taking down their last five opponents. However, all are unlike the team Nevada faces Wednesday night. The Wolf Pack boost a top-50 offense of their own, anchored behind the stellar guard play of Grant Sherfield and Desmond Cambridge Jr. Sherfield averaged 26 points, seven rebounds, and 6.5 assists over Nevada’s last two games. Cambridge Jr. has also been efficient scoring the ball, scoring over 20 points per game in all but one of the Wolf Pack’s last five games.
🛫 Reno
🛬 Lawrence#BattleBorn // #PackParty pic.twitter.com/l18m8V3qgt
— Nevada Basketball (@NevadaHoops) December 29, 2021
Keys for Kansas:
The Jayhawks need to go straight at Nevada’s big men in an attempt to either get them in foul trouble or score right through them. Nevada has three forwards that have been solid for the Wolf pack this season. However, the talent Nevada players will face Wednesday will prove to challenge Nevada’s big men. Kansas also needs to limit the stellar play of Grant Sherfield. If Nevada’s guards can continue to perform at a high level, then an upset could be on the horizon for the Wolf Pack.
Keys for Nevada:
The Wolf Pack big men have to step up in a huge way Wednesday night. It’s no secret that the Jayhawks have forwards that can destroy opponents and will have a huge night if players like Will Baker and Warren Washington don’t play tough defense. Nevada also needs to continue to run their offense through their guards. Sherfield will look to have a big game given how Sherfield is from Kansas and will have family in attendance. This matchup plays for a storybook night for Sherfield to drop big numbers in a Nevada upset win.
Prediction:
Nevada faces a huge uphill battle Wednesday night, facing a top-10 team in #6 Kansas. The Jayhawks bigs will prove to be too much for Nevada to handle and will struggle to pull off the upset. Kansas tops Nevada 86-73 in what will be a hard-fought battle by the Wolf Pack.
